Wind, fluoride and HOV lanes: Oregon opinion roundup

The Idaho Statesman defends the wind industry, which is taking some lumps there thanks to the struggles of Exergy Development Group, which has suspended plans for 116 megawatts of wind farms. Meanwhile, one of the biggest wind energy customers in the state, Idaho Power, argues that federal rules force utilities to buy power that is both expensive and unreliable.

Sacramento Bee contributor Bruce Maiman, meanwhile, observes that kids seldom spend much time in unstructured, outdoor play anymore. "It's interesting," he writes, "how grown-ups of a certain age can recall spending their childhoods outdoors with little adult supervision, yet fear giving their children that same freedom because of … what? Predators, pedophiles, sharp objects?"